True Confessions of a Soul Man


There seems to alot of interest in classical,jazz,and rock music. But are there any aging boomers that remember 60s soul music, a staple of AM radio that rivaled the british invasion?? My favorites were Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Supremes, Four Tops, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin. There were all types of sounds. I hope there are some experts out there that can identify each type the Memphis sound, The Philly sound (right Trelja?),etc. Opinions, favorite groups or songs, histories, etc.
shubertmaniac
You guys are bringing back old memories. A while back our firm was involved in a securitization transaction for Holland/Dozier/Holland, and afterwards one of the firms involved found a bunch of promo CDs in a warehouse of 24 or so of their greatest hits, by the original artists. Quite a collection of The Supremes, The Four Tops, etc. We listen to it often. My wife lived outside Detroit in the 60s, and we went to U of M 68-72, so I do remember CKLW too. What I miss most, and it started to go with the advent of album rock and FM stations, was the CKLW or WABC format of the 60s, where you could tune in and hear ALL types of music, be it Motown, West Coast sound, British invasion, on one station and all mixed together. Now everything seems categorized for the pop stations (alternative rock/classic rock/easy listening, etc,), and I think listeners are poorer for it. Agingears, that sounds like a terrific box set, thanks for the post.
Thanks for the heads up on the box set. Was Stax an indie label or part of a major???? I think you are right about the advent of FM stations. They changed everything. The stations would pick a format/music style and limit your choices of music. Things will heat up when satellite radio hits the air.I think in five years FM radio will be close to being dead. AM radio may live a little longer because it is mostly talk/call-in shows. Just an opinion what do you think??
There is one group from the late 60's early 70's that is among my favorites and not mentioned. "Friends of Distinction" Grazing in the grass; love or let me be lonely and going in circles were their well known #'s but they were really a great soul group. I wish I could find more of their old albums, tough find. (Philly list includes - Teddy Pendergrass with Howard Melvin and the Bluenotes; Delphonics, The O'Jays and Stylistics. Also Curtis Mayfield and Issac Hayes (more funk) The Reverend Al Green and my personal favorite male soul singer of them all Marvin Gaye solo and with Tammy Terrill. Radio stations in Philly? WFIL (Joe Niagra) and WIBG (Hi Lit); Anyone remember Jerry Blavit - "The geeter with the heeter"
I have forgotton more than I can remember about these groups but I sure loved them at the time; late 50's -60's include The Isley Brothers; Little Anthony and the Imperials; Smoky Robinson and the Miracles; Early 70's Billy Paul (another Philly guy) And from the 70's with the big brass sound but one of the best - Earth, Wind and Fire with Maurice White and the Commodores with Lionel Ritchie. Man I'm glad you guys reminded me. Little Anthony and the Imperials did a cut of "You only Live Twice" from the Bond film, great rendition. Had it on 8 track back in the late 60's I sure would like to find a copy of that recording.